Past research:My pest research has focused on understanding the interactions between plants, their herbivores and the natural enemies which attack the herbivores in a range of systems. One series of studies focused on the role of host plants in defining the range of caterpillars attacked by an imported parasitoid wasp. In another research initiative, I examined the impact of the plant surface, on the ability of ladybeetles to effectively hunt for pea aphids. Finally, I found that for soybean aphids, a recent invasive, the interaction of plant age and the timing of aphid arrival each year influences the ability of an indigenous predator to suppress aphid populations to economically sustainable population levels.

Current research:I am currently working with wood-boring beetles with a focus on invasive members of the Buprestidae and Cerambycidae. Buprestidae: Emerald ash borer is a devastating invasive pest of ash which was detected in Connecticut in July 2010. Emerald ash borer is closely related to the native buprestid, Bronze Birch Borer which can be an outbreak pest during periods of birch decline. I have been comparing the mating behavior and ecology of the two insects. I am also exploring the natural enemies of bonze birch borer, both to understand what the existing community looks like prior to the introduction of biological control agents for emerald ash borer, and to look for potential control agents for emerald ash borer.Another major research area is in the use of a native solitary digger wasp, Cerceris fumipennis as a detection tool for emerald ash borer and other invasive buprestid beetles. We have done work on their overwintering physiology and prey choice mechanisms, as well as establishing an active survey program, which incorporates citizen-scientists (the Wasp Watchers).

Cerambycidae: The Small Japanese Cedar Borer is an invasive longhorned beetle from Japan. The pheromones involved in both mating and habitat location, are under study.

Rutledge, CE, Robinson, AP & SD Eigenbrode. 2003. Effects of a simple plant morphological mutation on the arthropod community and the impacts of predators on a principal insect herbivore. Oecologia. 135:39-50.